South Lake Tahoe Resident Tests Positive for Plague After Flea Bite

A South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for the plague, believed to have been contracted through a flea bite while camping in the area, according to El Dorado County health officials. The individual is recovering at home under medical care, and this marks the first human case in the county since 2020 and the first in California in five years. The plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is naturally present in many parts of California, especially in higher elevation areas, and is typically transmitted by fleas that feed on infected wild rodents such as squirrels and chipmunks. Pets can also carry infected fleas into homes, so officials recommend precautions such as keeping pets on leashes, avoiding contact with wild rodents, and using insect repellent. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks and include fever, nausea, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes, but the disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics if detected early. Ongoing surveillance by California Department of Public Health has found several rodents testing positive for plague in El Dorado County, reinforcing the need for public caution during outdoor activities.